Grants have supplied much needed support to college, students

Hanceville, AL — When 草榴社区状态 社区 College conducts its grand opening of the Center for 焊接 Technology and Innovation Center on Monday, Aug. 21岁的大学 officials will have many people to thank for helping make it a reality.

“We are extremely grateful for everyone who has invested in the education of our students and the future of our community,” said 草榴社区状态 President Vicki Karolewics. “We have been blessed to be the recipients of a number of grants not only for welding but for other established and new programs.”

At the 2018 groundbreaking, 草榴社区状态 President Dr. Vicki karolowics指出 college had sought funding for the 项目 for eight years before Congressman Robert Aderholt was able to secure $2 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration 8美元.500万项目. 草榴社区状态 is hopeful it will receive a second Congressional appropriation in the coming year.?

In 2020, the college received an additional $200,000 from a grant provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the purchase of workforce training equipment. Industry partners Lincoln Electric, Holston Gases and Fastenal have each helped in a number of ways throughout the building process. Another?$25,000 has been provided by the Cullman County Industrial Development Board, also to purchase equipment.

At the time the ARC grant was awarded, it was noted the welding program would be able to expand its highly successful reach and provide an estimated 110 workers in the Southern Appalachian region each year with more opportunities for training in the high-skill, high-wage and high-demand welding trade and help meet the employment needs of some 40 new and current manufacturing businesses in North Alabama.

In 2022年10月, an ARC POWER Initiative grant provided $1.17 million to 草榴社区状态 for the Supporting Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Maintenance in North Alabama 项目. 草榴社区状态 will partner with the American Trucking Association, Freightliner, Kenworth, and Mercedes-Benz to bring their 机电一体化, Automotive Services, and Diesel Technician programs into alignment with electric vehicle (EV) needs. 日产 has recently joined the ranks of 草榴社区状态 EV partners. These needs include technicians ready for smart manufacturing and the servicing of electric vehicles and electric 重型卡车.

This award followed a 2021 ARC POWER grant for the college’s Prepping the Talent Pipeline for Economic Growth and Diversification Planning Project that provided $23,191 to assess the current and 项目ed state of automotive manufacturing in Appalachia. The resulting strategic plan helped inform WSCC’s educational and capital plan to meet the evolving employment needs of the industry, as demand for autonomous and electric vehicle manufacturing increases. It is also expected to guide the program development of WSCC’s automotive manufacturing-related programs for the next 10 years.

This fall, the college will begin offering an electric vehicle program for new automotive technologies, and an electrical technology program for the training of industrial, commercial and residential electricians.

草榴社区状态 has also been successful in securing awards from the National Science Foundation, Altec, and the Women’s Fund of Greater Alabama to bolster the recruitment and training of women in traditionally male dominated fields.

Capital investment totaling $48 million impacting three facilities includes a combination of legislative appropriations, federal grant funds, Alabama 社区 College System 赠款和地方基金.

Registration for the Fall 2023 semester in underway. Regular and Mini Term I classes 8月开始.18. Flex Start学期从8月开始. 9月25日及. 1. 迷你学期二开始上课 10月. 19. For more information, visit www.55jiaju.com, call the main campus at 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. 到下午6点.m.，星期四7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.，或者周五早上7:30.m. 到2点.m.?